Results

Dallas 89, at Minnesota 77: Dirk Nowitzki scored 15 of his 20 points in a tense third quarter and also grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Mavericks to a victory against the Timberwolves. The Mavericks announced that swingman Josh Howard will be out indefinitely while he continues to rehab his surgically repaired left ankle.

Portland 86, at New Orleans 78: LaMarcus Aldridge had 20 points and 13 rebounds, helping the Trail Blazers to a victory against a Hornets team that lost All-Star point guard Chris Paul to a sprained ankle while trying to adjust to new head Coach Jeff Bower. Paul sprained his left ankle at the end of the third quarter.

at Orlando 88, New Jersey 72: Dwight Howard had 26 points and 12 rebounds and Matt Barnes had 13 points and 13 rebounds and the Magic put away the winless Nets.

Golden State 121, at New York 107: Stephen Jackson scored 23 points, three other players had 22, and the Warriors sent the Knicks to the worst 10-game start in franchise history.

at Sacramento 109, Houston 100: Jason Thompson had a career-high 27 points and added 11 rebounds for the Kings, who won their fourth straight game, defeating the Rockets. The previous time the Kings won four consecutive games was late in the 2007-08 season.